Ever surprise why and the way automakers like Porsche and BMW appear to have a cabin that’s screwed collectively a bit extra tightly than some competing autos? Some automakers have even earned a fame – deserved or in any other case – for shoddiness. Automakers all have their very own course of that ensures high quality for his or her autos. However for BMW that course of is known as “cubing” and has been a part of their manufacturing line for at the least a decade.
What’s Cubing?
We received our first cubing expertise throughout a latest go to on the BMW Plant in San Luis Potosi. Cubing is without doubt one of the first steps within the manufacturing course of and BMW has built-in this expertise for each upcoming mannequin. As a mannequin will get prepared for manufacturing, a full-size physique chassis is milled from stable aerospace-grade aluminum.
This mannequin permits BMW to look at how every half aligned and match collectively. If changes are wanted or one thing didn’t align completely, BMW might make modifications and re-evaluate to make sure optimum match. This method is particularly useful in pinpointing the supply of potential points, vastly simplifying product testing.
In a nutshell, cubing ensures all the pieces from headlights to inside upholstery and switchgear match cosy and correct. By utilizing exact measuring instruments, inconsistencies may be noticed at a scale all the way down to tenths of a millimeter. BMW even goes so far as to make sure the aluminum physique is saved in a climate-controlled atmosphere to scale back environmental impacts.
Some processes additionally use augmented actuality which permits BMW engineers to overlay digital elements onto the mannequin to evaluate compatibility with out bodily meeting.
After BMW mills out the aluminum physique, elements suppliers ship pattern elements for take a look at fitment. BMW suits the half and scans the mannequin towards the “produced” unit to examine for variances. The scan even takes under consideration paint thickness, which may ever so barely affect ultimate match and end. Testing out elements earlier than the automobile sees manufacturing reduces the possibilities for remembers and permits BMW to find wonky or ill-fitting elements earlier than the general public.
Cubing Ain’t Low-cost; However Neither is a BMW
After we visited the plant in San Luis Potosi, BMW claimed that the cubing course of can value within the single digit tens of millions. We’re unsure if that determine is inclusive of the assorted machines and software program required to precisely “dice.” Both manner, that’s some critical scratch, and it’s additionally the explanation cubing isn’t fairly what you’d name an trade commonplace. However when you think about the match and end of their autos – and the fame fellow cuber Porsche boasts – the outcomes are clearly palpable.
Cubing is important on the Mexico plant. Not solely to make sure high quality of present merchandise – notably, it’s the middle of world market manufacturing for the fascinating M2 – however for what’s to return. San Luis Potosi might be tasked with Neue Klasse manufacturing for the US market. These early fashions will depart an enduring impression on North American customers. Cubing will little doubt be utilized in full pressure to the brand new EV fashions.
As autos and the manufacturing course of more and more develop into streamlined and unified throughout automakers, particulars like match and end will begin to matter increasingly. It’s probably the greatest methods to face out from the gang, particularly as an automaker like BMW that touts “luxurious” branding. I say: let the cubing start. Forbes additionally put collectively an ideal article on BMW Cubing.
